1 Draft Minutes of the DBT- IITs Workshop meeting held ... - IRCC

Draft Minutes of the DBT- IITs Workshop meeting held during 6-7 January 2011
Based on an initiative from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, to enhance
R&D in areas related to Biosciences, an interactive workshop was organized with DBT
authorities and IITs, at IIT Bombay, on 6-7 January 2011. The aim of the workshop was to learn
about the current thinking and vision by IITs in biology, bioengineering, biomedicine, agriculture,
bioenergy and other related areas, ways of contribution by DBT and building long-term
relationships between IITs and the DBT.
Venue: Victor Menezes Convention Centre, IIT Bombay.
Participants: Representatives from DBT, Directors of three IITs and faculty representatives
from the seven IITs (IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee
and IIT Bombay): Annexure 1 for list of participants.
Agenda: See Annexure 2.
1. Opening remarks:
Prof. Devang Khakhar, Director IIT Bombay welcomed the experts and representatives from
DBT, the two Directors and faculty representatives of IITs present at the meeting. He thanked
Dr. M.K.Bhan, Secretary, DBT for taking this timely initiative. He said that research in Biorelated
areas has been gaining strength at the IITs along with enhanced interaction with
industry. In view of this, he commented that this is an opportune time to take on new initiatives.
During the last years, the IITs have got together under the PAN IIT initiative to work in the area
of solar research and also for the Ganga basin management plan. This proposed interaction in
the area of life sciences would be a new addition of inter-IIT collaboration in R&D. Before these
initiatives, the only collaborative effort between the IITs was the JEE. He hoped that this
meeting would result in enhancing research in Life Sciences at the IITs.
A round of introductions was made by all the participants.
2. DBT's perspective on enhancing the innovation potential within the IIT system:
Dr. M.K.Bhan, Secretary DBT, thanked the participants for sparing time at a short notice to
attend this meeting. Two years ago, discussions had initiated with IITs, in this area, highlighting
various themes. Taking things forward, it is felt that IITs are best placed to take up the building
of a strong base in life sciences. They are leaders in areas of technology and science and such
systems can be built only on shoulders of people with experience, stature, background and
having appropriate governance structures. IITs have the bandwidth to take on grand challenges
in innovation. In addition, the Ministry of HRD and DBT/DST are trying to integrate life sciences
(LS) with engineering systems, with a 10-15 year perspective and “trying to imagine the future”.
Although innovations are happening in the field of medicine, engineering expertise is required to
translate these into products for public use. A need is felt for bridging and enhancing connect
between Life Sciences and healthcare, enterprise, etc.
There is a distinct need to excel in Life Sciences in universities and technical institutions and
discussions are needed to identify the means to set up systems for the same. The US and
Europe universities have gained experience in this regard and it is appropriate to learn from this.
A large number of schemes and tools need to be thought of, for empowering institutions for this
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endeavour. This may include appropriate governance models and build global alliances for
research and education e.g Innovative examples like Extramural centres.
With this background, it is important to have a focussed discussion in the present workshop to
identify what is needed with respect to people, depth of excellence, interdisciplinary research
and systems and mechanisms to achieve these goals.
3. Building biology innovation in the engineering system: The global experience:
Prof. Mrigank Sur, MIT, USA shared his perspective from an US based experience. He also
concurred that IITs are well placed for research in LS. Physicians especially in India are highly
focussed on patient treatment and care as their prime aim and are not able to give time for
research into disease causes and possible solutions. Hence it is the university systems which
need to contribute towards this effort. In the early sixties, Vannevar Bush, Dean Engineering,
MIT had realised that basic sciences generate problems for which engineers find solutions and
are thus the drivers of engineering. As an example, an expert cell bacteriologist Salvador Luria
was hired by MIT early on, to start a department of Biological Sciences and through his
leadership, built a high research output team, boasting of 6 Nobel Laureates by 2000. Similar is
the experience at Caltech which under the leadership of Max Delbrueck went to produce four
Nobel laureates by the year 2000.
The federal government felt it was important to be a partner in blending the two, for driving
research and innovations. Hence research got a major thrust. India also needs to focus on such
efforts to enable university systems, whcih are the true drivers of research.
It is not essential to have a medical school for innovations to come through. Based on the
research efforts, the medical fraternity will seek interactions with the appropriate research
institutions. It is important to have a long term vision and be willing to take risks. Many new
areas have emerged through indirect insights in science. It is vital to have a strong leadership
with vision, energy and enthusiasm along with full institutional support.
MIT allows the flexibility for faculty to interact between different departments/disciplines and
allow faculty to go to other places to learn and develop their research. Currently there is lack of
funds in US and well trained Indian scientists are keen to return back. Hence it is an opportune
time to attract experts to Indian institutes.
In the discussion, many seconded the idea of focusing on interdisciplinary research
programmes and the need for greater interface between science and engineering. Grand
challenges should be presented and collaborative inter institutional research should be give
impetus with appropriate funding by government.
4. The Stanford-India Bio design initiative – DBT perspective:
Dr. Alka Sharma, Jt. Director, DBT, shared the experience DBT had in setting up the Stanford
India Biodesign programme as an inter institutional linkage between IIT Delhi, AIIMS and
Stanford University, to promote medical technology innovation in India. It is a 2 year fellowship
programme with six months to be spent in Stanford, to learn various aspects and adopt these in
the parent institution. The first batch (of 2008) developed three prototypes in the pulmono
cardiac areas and industry such as Johnson and Johnson are funding $150,000 for further work
towards commercialization. The challenges faced were strong leadership, lowering of barrier
between disciplines and promoting inter institutional interaction. A centre for Biodesign has now
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een set up in Faridabad (Translational Health Science and Technology Institute; THSTI) which
feeds funds to various participating institutions without interfering in its activities. It was
important to work out alternate hiring systems and have long term contract employees with
attractive career paths.
5. Presentations on "Ongoing IIT programmes in Bio-related areas and vision for future":
IITs made presentations regarding the ongoing activities in research and education in the area
of Bio-related areas. All the representatives acknowledged the initiative taken by DBT in this
regard.
i. IIT Delhi: (Annexure 3 for details of presentation)
Prof. Surendra Prasad, Director gave an initial brief, mentioning that the Centre for Biomedical
Engineering was established in IITD as early as 1971, with interaction with AIIMS. Other similar
entities were added subsequently, with the most recent being the School of Biological Sciences
in 2008, with support from the alumni. With these resources, the institute has built capabilities
for high end research in the interface of life sciences, biotechnology (BT) and engineering, with
more than 50 faculty working in these diverse bio related areas.
Prof. Saroj Mishra continued, commenting that different teaching programmes (B.Tech, M.Tech,
DD, M.Sc., PhD) supported by MHRD and DBT are being pursued. Active research resulting in
publications, patents and technology transfer/start-up companies were highlighted, along with
future plans. A summary of areas of expertise was presented.
A number of challenges were proposed based on internal discussions, available expertise and
need. Director, IIT Delhi commented that core people with such expertise and leadership
qualities were needed for sustaining these areas of activity and specialized Chair professorships
need to be set up, offering higher salaries and additional resources. This was being provided as
top-up by the institute through its internal non-governmental resources, in addition to the
government salaries.
ii. IIT Guwahati: (Annexure 4 for details of presentation)
Prof. Arun Goyal, Head, Department of Biotechnology, said that Director, IITG had regretted his
inability to come for this meeting due to prior commitments. The Department of Biotechnology
was set up in 2002 with UG and PhD programmes. M.Tech was added in 2008. There are 21
faculty from diverse research streams with expertise ranging across engineering and life
sciences. The students were getting good placements in various organisations both in India and
abroad. Research grants were substantial, with recent sanction by DBT under the North Eastern
Region (NER) - Twinning scheme. These had resulted in a large number of major equipment
grants. The research highlights included different aspects of Genomics and Proteomics. Assam
is a belt of rich biodiversity. Screening and preservation of this Biodiversity is an important need
Future plans are to become recognized globally for excellence in research, facilities and quality
of teaching, increase in industry interaction to develop products and processes for commercial
use, enhance faculty strength and start additional specialised programmes in edical and Food
biotechnology.
Comments were raised regarding the need for a long term plan and implications of impact in
future by a small number of faculty in the large number of disciplines mentioned. However, Prof.
Goyal mentioned that the Department is growing and faculty are converging to common
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esearch goals. Hence the proposed programme would help in enhancing the research.
However, appropriate governance structure would need to be addressed.
Prof. Sur commented that a having a specialised programme in Biotechnology at the UG level is
undesirable (too early in the academic training of students) and especially so if the placement
scenario is not encouraging. At MIT, UGs do courses in life sciences as part of the curriculum
along with courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics. Industry was not positive about the
UG personnel graduating in BT since their knowledge and practical capabilities are limited. Also
critical mass is very important for enhanced research. Link ups with neighbouring management
institutions (e.g.IIM Kolkata) should be considered to help take up innovations further.
iii. IIT Kanpur: (Annexure 5 for details of presentation)
Prof. R.Sankararamkrishnan communicated the regret from IITK Director for his last minute
inability to attend this meeting. The Bioscience and Bioengineering Department (BSBE) has
been set up in 2001 as a multidisciplinary initiative, focusing on three broad areas of Genetics,
Genomics & Developmental Biology, Structural & Computational Biology and Bioengineering.
The department has good synergy with other departments of the institute and also with other
national and international universities, organisations and industries. Research in Bio-related
areas is being pursued vigorously, resulting in a good number of publications, patents and
grants and awards. The future plans were to start new education programmes for innovation in
Biology, along with research encompassing IIT Post doc positions, animal house facility and
newer interface with other engineering departments. The research vision at the institute is to
take up fundamental research to address industrial applications in the areas of health,
agriculture, pharmaceuticals, diagnosis and products.
The challenge was to motivate the JEE toppers to go into basic research. For this, people have
to be nurtured to become star leaders in the area of Biology and thus create teams and attract
young minds to this area. It may be sufficient to focus on one area of application.
iv. IIT Kharagpur: (Annexure 6 for details of presentation)
Prof. D.Acharya, Director gave his opening remarks, mentioning that Bioscience started in the
institute in 1951 in agricultural science-plant biology. With time, a number of initiatives have
been taken. One of the recent ones was collaboration with UC Berkeley in Medical science and
technology. Due to its location, it is easier to link up with foreign universities, although
challenges had to be met. The institute was trying to have academic programmes of B.Tech
M.Tech and Ph.D seamlessly across the various disciplines. It was in the process of setting up
innovative „medical education‟ with a different curriculum and syllabus. The focus is on research
in the medical field and how to bring down the diagnosis cost, remote diagnostics, telemedicine
and healthcare support. Collaboration was envisaged with the University of California San Diego
and Johns Hopkins University, USA. Clearance from health ministry was through. He felt the
need to create state of the art facilities in the area of bioscience and commented that the
institute made a fundamental course in biology mandatory for all UG students.
Prof. P.K.Dutta continued, outlining the research in area of life sciences cutting across large
disciplines of science and engineering. M.Tech programmes started in 1986 and currently, the
academic programmes include B.Tech, M.Tech, DD and Ph.D in Biotechnology and
Biochemical Engineering. Future goal is to initiate an MSc-Ph.D programme and to introduce
remedial courses to fill gaps for better understanding. Funding from DBT was requested for
supporting this.
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Dr. Bhan commented that an M.Sc-Ph.D programme should produce an expert in drug
discovery and efforts should be made to produce a scientist out of a MBBS graduate and
establish a good career path. Learning could be made from the NCBS experience. It was felt
that research centres / societies created out of hospitals are the only places where research in
the medical field is addressed, e.g KEM, Mumbai, CMC Vellore and St. Johns Hospital,
Bangalore. Main hospitals do not have this possibility. However the system in the US is
different.
v. IIT Madras: (Annexure 7 for details of presentation)
Prof. K.Krishnaiah, Dean Academic Research gave brief history and outline of the current status
at the institute. The biomedical engineering was started in 1971 in the Department of Applied
Mechanics with M.Tech, MS and Ph.D programmes. Subsequently various other academic
entities were added and currently a Biomedical Design research centre has been established
with funding from DBT, with an aim to produce medical devices. Along with the normal UG and
PG academic programmes, M.Tech in Clinical Engineering and Ph.D in Biomedical Devices and
Technology are being offered as multi-institutional programmes. The placement of students was
good and also for those wishing to pursue higher studies. Future plans are to convert all UG
programmes to DD in Biological Engineering, starting from 2012. The research thrust included
Bioprocess Engineering, Computational Biology, Chemical Biology and Medical Biotechnology.
Research funding, publications, patents, collaborations, faculty / student honors & awards and
start ups were shown to give an insight to the research capability at the institute.
The future plans include working closely with Indian Biotechnology industry to transfer
technologies, creating a centre of excellence in Bioprocess and Metabolic Engineering and
carrying out translational research in the area of medical Biotechnology, green chemistry and
computational biology. Interdisciplinary research supported by DBT is being undertaken in the
area of Parkinson‟s disease. The Biomedical design programme has a focus on DD, M.Sc and
Ph.D programmes. A proposal was submitted to DBT for setting up a translational centre for
Medical Device Design and Development.
vi. IIT Roorkee: (Annexure 8 for details of presentation)
Dr. R.Barthwal mentioned that the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Roorkee was the oldest,
set up in 1980. The M.Sc programme is supported by DBT and the B.Tech programme started
in 2005. The students were found excellent and well placed. The capabilities at the institute
were highlighted through publications, patents, award and honours and student placements
along with the different research projects undertaken. Major equipment facilities were available
and the research focus encompassed various areas in structural biology & drug discovery and
Microbial technology, bioprocess technology and nanobiotechnology.
vii. IIT Bombay: (Annexure 9 for details of presentation)
Prof. Dulal Panda highlighted that 15% of the institute faculty are actively involved in bio related
research in a wide spectrum of areas, ranging from basic to applied to translational research.
The major strength is a strong teaching and research programme in biosciences and
bioengineering through active collaboration. Some of the research accomplishments were
shown, including publications, patents, student data, collaborations & network and the recent
initiative of setting up of the Wadhwani research centre for Biosciences and Bioengineering and
for setting up a healthcare initiative to develop a network hub for the Western region. Academic
programmes related to UG and PG also included minors and electives. The future goals are to
catalyse integration of the life sciences work into engineering disciplines, translate technologies
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into products, accelerate societal benefits from the research and healthcare entrepreneurship.
Academic interdisciplinary programmes in biology and outreach programmes were envisaged.
The R&D directions are to establish IITB as a world leader in healthcare research. Support was
requested from DBT for various aspects.
It was commented that setting up of animal house is a major exercise and if possible this should
be outsourced to commercial entities. Differing opinions were given on this issue.
6. Breakout Sessions to discuss how to enhance interaction between IITs and DBT
The four break out session were converged into two, namely a) Interdisciplinary Research &
Development / Governance structure (Annexure 10) and b) Education & outreach, Capacity
building - People, infrastructure, inter-institutional linkages and governance structures
(Annexure 11). Dr. Bhan commented that some key words be given for possible schemes /
proposals. Members were requested to have 45 minutes of discussion followed by 5 minute
presentation.
a. Interdisciplinary Research & Development / Governance structure (Annexure 10)
Summary of discussions:
Interests need to be identified, keeping in mind the capabilities available for the same.
Use our strengths in strong basic sciences and engineering to solve grand challenge
problems, innovative solutions
Areas proposed: Medical diagnostics (nanotech), Structure based drug design and
diagnostic molecules, Medical devices and technologies, Microbial biotechnology,
Bioprocess development, “Omics”, systems and computational biology, Drug delivery.
In each area, a grand challenge problem to be identified; further, a white paper is needed, for
which more meetings are to be had between IITs; DBT could help to have experts from
industry / translational fields at these meetings, with not more than 10-15 stakeholders.
Planning grant from DBT to move ahead
Project leader to be identified
Enhance interdisciplinary research and identify industry and hospitals for interaction
b. Education & outreach, Capacity building - People, infrastructure, inter-institutional
linkages and governance structures (Annexure 11)
Some comments:
The academic programmes should be defined well, have industry linkage and envisage
student exchange across IITs.
Post doc positions should be strengthened through specific funding and enable them to
mentor UGs and PGs.
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Value addition to education is very important
Industry complain of lack of relevant exposure for the new recruits, hence have an element of
bio design in the teaching programmes
Give students project exposure
Glue grants / virtual networked grad schools
Involvement of IITs for teacher training- outreach for better outputs
Indian Bioengineering User Programme (IBUP) cells to be set up in all IITs
Animal facility for all IITs to use
Summary:
(Education:
Undergraduate Lab upgradation – IITs to come up with a common plan
Benchmarking Biotech education
Internships for students between IITs and other institutions such as biomedical research
institutions
Fellowship grants in the 5 th year similar to Biodesign
Virtual centers and glue grants between grad schools
Outreach:
Indian Bioengineering Users Program (IBUP) cells to be set up in all IIT-s. Students from
other colleges/Universities to be mentored for project ideas
Infrastructure:
Animal House – outsource and ask for special funds
Infrastructure to be included in the R&D and Education plan)
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Day 2: 7 January 2011:
7. Summary of the break-out sessions of previous day:
Prof. S.B.Noronha, IITB presented the summary of the discussions held in the two breakout
sessions (Annexure 10 and 11, also given above).
Some comments:
Dr. S.Natesh, DBT said that each IIT should come up with specifics of their requirements and
provide a detailed document with a governance plan and point of contact for further action.
He would discuss with Dr. Bhan and come out with a detailed plan on way ahead.
Governance should allow student internships outside of IITs system e.g AIIMS etc.,
preferably during summer.
Medical research internships may need Medical Council of India (MCI) clearance and take
time and hence one should look at feasibility in the near future
Teacher mentoring programme should be included
A case for specific support in 1-2 areas in each IIT may be desirable. Presentations show a
vast expanse of areas, but each IIT should aim to become leaders in 1-2 areas, which will
help in raising appropriate funding. Although this may mean other areas of research
continue, in order to contribute towards this growth, it is important to debate on this. Teams
could be built around a few star researchers of an institute or a specific theme of interest
could be decided and a team built around it, e.g IISc had built expertise in Biophysics by
design, through getting leaders and building teams around them and now this area is known
globally- a peak within a broad plateau.
It may be easier to identify few areas but not just one; enabling mechanisms are provided to
support researchers wanting to work in specific areas but as an institute, it may not be easy.
8. Feedback on Interaction with DBT:
IIT Delhi:
Their experience with DBT regarding funding has been pleasant and healthy. Animal house
support and post doc initiatives would be very welcome. In addition, continued support from
DBT for areas identified and for experimental projects (in the form of bridge grants), beyond
three / five years is desirable in order to sustain the activities initiated.
The supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi had been set up based on brainstorming with more than
100 faculty regarding the need for such facility with access to all. DBT had adopted this facility
for 5 years since 2008.
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IIT Guwahati:
They have had similar good experience with DBT which has funded research projects and also
the M.Tech programme at the institute. In addition the cell for North Eastern Region (NER)
support was also welcome. There have been some delays in sanctions and acknowledgement
of proposals submitted and their status would be appreciated. Also project presentation / review
through video mode may obviate the need for travel and save time.
IIT Kanpur:
Although DBT has funded education programmes, which is acknowledged, it would be desirable
to give such special grants to IITs separately, without grouping with all other institutions, to
retain identity. The need for continued support after the first few years was reiterated and
commented that the normal funding had no issues.
IIT Kharagpur:
Although DBT has been supported engineering programme since 1986, the equipment grant
had been reduced and only recently Rs.30 lakhs grant had been sanctioned for the same. Since
a major overhaul was due, additional funding would be appreciated. Also faster communication
regarding projects funding status would be appreciated. The project review was felt to be very
good with high level of technical content. Again the need for bridge grant was mentioned and
also whether fast track grants could be provided to explore an idea in order to seed big projects
later.
The institute will have a task force to look into the specific programmes for special support by
DBT.
IIT Madras:
The overall experience with DBT was good with no issues in the technical aspects. Some
administration related comments included-
Stringent provision of overheads (of only Rs.1 lakh per year)
AMC @5% of cost for big equipment needed
If specific posts are approved and the institute gets a different level manpower, flexibility
needed to address these
Freedom/ability to carry forward of funds
Delay in release of funds
Review process to be formally relooked at – create a team for faster turnarounds (e.g.
along the lines of BIRAP model)
IIT Roorkee: (Annexure 12 as handwritten document)
They have had limited experience with DBT for research funding, with the exception of support
to the MSc programme. Few research projects are currently funded by DBT; however the
institute plans to converge and take up new initiatives for funding by DBT.
Support to JRFs (5 per year) and post docs (5 per year) should be given directly to the IITs with
an aim to achieve excellence in identified field of research. Support from DBT is requested for
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teaching and research equipment, consumables, AMC and also to enhance interaction with
industries, in addition to support for PG programme as a separate set for IITs.
IIT Bombay: (Annexure 13)
The M.Sc support from DBT is sustained and continued. Reiterating other comments it was said
that, acknowledging the receipt of submitted proposals, intimating the review status of
submissions and timely decisions regarding project funding would be appreciated. Online
systems such as that existing for workshop support would be very good. Timely release of grant
after sanction would help in appropriate / effective expenditure. Regarding IP ownership, would
prefer retaining ownership with institute in order to take decision related to patenting, technology
license etc. Flexibility regarding exclusive / non exclusive models would be desirable since
substantial investment by some companies may make the excusive model more attractive.
Prof. B.Ravi gave an example of a successful multi institution network project in the area of
Orthopaedic CAD/CAM was funded by the Principal Scientific Advisor, GoI.
Sanction within 4 months of proposal submission
Higher salaries than usual norms allowed
Equipment purchase flexibility, re-allocation of funds within framework
Excellent review
IPR given to the institute;
Resulted in 3 patents, software and clinical trials stage and quality manufacturing system all
within the three years of work
It would be desirable to be able to replicate such systems and processes for undertaking
effective research.
All IITs wished a maintenance grant but it may be appropriate if the institutes take up such
responsibility. This may be possible if a business plan is included in the proposal, make good
use of the equipment generated and charge users. Mechanisms need to be created to generate
such funding and also ensure optimal use of the high end equipment. One of the IITs has a
model of supporting AMC and manpower for equipment which are made accessible to all.
Sometimes researchers did not wish to share the facilities due to their own need. Any
equipment above Rs.50 lakhs value should be treated as an institute facility and possible
mechanisms such as formation of not-for-profit companies to run and maintain the same will be
useful. Enhanced usage and maintenance would both be taken care of though this model.
DBT may recommend to MHRD to build in AMC support for such maintenance, alternatively the
overheads could be enhanced to take care of this requirement.
9. Proposed new initiatives and support requirement from DBT:
IIT Delhi:
Proposed challenges and areas of partnership: (please see presentation in Annexure 3)
1. Affordable diagnostics / devices
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2. Design, Process Optimization & Scale up of Biological Processes (Microbial, plant & animal
cell fermentation…)
3. Genomics / Proteomics & Diseases Target Identification & Database Creation
(Neurodegenarative / diabetes etc.)
4. Novel Genes & Enzymes for Food Bioprocesses (Detoxification & Value Addition)
5. Bioenergy
Animal house access is available at NII, AIIMS and BLS level 1, 2 and 3 labs are available from
IITD funding.
With an initiative already running with Stanford University, it is hoped that DBT would be able to
fund a M.Tech. programme in Biomedical Engineering and also work towards giving students of
the Biodesign centre a degree.
IIT Guwahati:
IITG has expertise and proposed focus in Medical diagnostics, Microbial biotechnology, Drug
discovery, computational biology in the next ten years.
Support from DBT- Scholarship for UG, UG lab upgradation, support for BSL level 2, 3 facilities
and animal house facilities (it was felt that due to its location, IITG could set up the animal house
facilities as a as a nodal agency to cater to other institutes in the region)
IIT Kanpur:
A Centre for Bio innovation was being proposed by IIT Kanpur to create an engine to run the multi
faceted Bioactivity in the institute. This enabling centre will have appropriate education and
technology thrust combined with business / industry linkages and interdisciplinary research in
health science and research. One focus would be on osteo arthritis and various aspects of
research would connect the 12 faculty working in diverse areas. There is a need to collaborate
with other institutes also.
IIT Kharagpur: (Annexure 14)
Integrated approaches towards discovery of new targets for therapeutics 2020
Design of microfluidic platforms for early detection of cancer
Development of green microbial technologies for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals
IIT Madras:
Areas of thrust include Bioprocess engineering, Chemical Biology, Computational Biology and
Medical Biotechnology.
The future R&D plans include
To work closely with Indian Biotechnology industry to transfer some of the technologies
developed (Example: Hyaluronic acid)
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To create a Centre of Excellence in Bioprocess Engineering and Metabolic Engineering
To carry out translational research in the area of medical biotechnology, green chemistry and
computational biology
Support from DBT was sought for the teaching programmes.
IIT Roorkee: (Annexure 12)
Two research groups having critical mass for future research and were identified namely,
Structure based drug designing and microbial Technology with proposed research project on
Biomolecules of therapeutic interest for anticancer related drugs.
Support from DBT: (Please see information given under IIT Roorkee above)
IIT Bombay:
Three months ago, based on a brainstorming between 35 faculty of the institute working in bio
related areas, a new initiative in healthcare R&D was taken and a white paper has been given to
DBT for IITB to become the Western region hub for this initiative, interfacing between other
organisations and hospitals. A workshop is planned to be held on 29 th January to identify
stakeholders and ways to catalyse integration of research in life sciences. This is expected to be
in a consortium mode with a hope to have effective societal impact.
DBT support is hoped in the form of funding for research, post docs, etc to facilitate the creation
of the CoE in Healthcare.
10. Comments and Discussion:
Work in the area of structure based drug design may not get funding from industry and this is
one aspect where DBT funding would be useful. In this regard, the setting up of a synchrotron
for use by Chemical Biologists was discussed. It was commented that currently the experiments
were done abroad in France, Grenoble, and Saskatoon Canada. DBT had an agreement with
Grenoble Synchrotron facility and PSA, DST with Saskatoon facility.
An indigenous synchrotron facility would be a very important asset. Beam lines specific to each
need could be built by individual groups but the facility can be outsources on a turnkey basis to
an external organisation. Our researchers should be involved more in the science aspect.
The issue of animal house was also discussed. It was felt that certain work may be able to
manage with an external animal house and but certain studies e.g, cell biology need a
dedicated Animal house in the institute. Dr. Ramaswamy, NCBS mentioned that a workshop
was being held in Bangalore on 7-9 March 2011, where a well known builder of Animal house
facility (JAX from USA) was giving lectures. Anyone interested is welcome to attend this
meeting to raise relevant queries regarding the same.
Based on the specific needs identified, appropriate animal house requirements should be
finalised. Focus should be on idea generation and routine issues should be outsourced as much
as possible.
Devices and diagnostics was an important area to focus on since 87% is currently exported as
per a statistics report. Healthcare is largely unaffordable and the initiative proposed by IITB would
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e an important activity to focus on. The initiative should be in the form of a virtual centre cutting
across all IITs and in a consortium mode. Link with IIMs could be envisaged for translation into
products.
IIT Delhi put forth a thought to look at the „Genome card‟ of the 1.1 billion Indians as a concerted
effort across all the 15 IITs. This was felt to be a brilliant very large scale project idea. India could
take the lead which others could emulate. Substantial amount of efforts of biologists, maths,
computational experts would be needed and this can be the „Chandrayaan” of DBT.
A network should be established across IITs in education and research in Biotechnology and
periodic annual meetings should be held to review activities with DBT providing the glue.
Another aspect was the regulatory approvals and current system was not adequate. DBT is in
the process of getting cabinet approvals for the same and systems should be in place shortly.
11. Closing remarks by Dr. S.Natesh, DBT:
The DBT team had come to IITs because of the excellence available and the organisation was
planning activities for the 12 th plan. A number of activities had been taken up as promised
earlier in the „Biotechnology strategy and action plan‟ earlier and the regulatory systems should
also be in place soon. Since IITs are also planning to get in Life Science research in a big way,
it was appropriate to get together, come to a consensus and work together to put an action plan.
The comments made about DBT processes are known and efforts on to address / improve
them. Trials are on for online project proposal submission. Reforms in competitive grants are
being reviewed and will be resolved soon.
Three clusters are being set up in Bangalore (Basic plant science research, silk biotechnology
and material science research with NCBS, CCAMP, and Agricultural universities involvement)
Faridabad (Health related focus with THSTI, NII and others with a biodesign programme thrust)
and Mohali (focus on agriculture, food biotechnology and nutrition, with participation of IISER,
ISB, DST) to focus on life sciences and the aim is to connect all the clusters to have a mega
innovation centre in the next 10 years.
The summary of all the presentations and discussion would be put up on a website for all to
review. The governance need to be discussed more and should include mechanisms for
internships, research mobility, industry liaison, technology transfer services, incubation, etc.
Each IIT should discuss internally on what it would like to be famous for through hard brain
storming to come up with a focus. An IIT-DBT platform will be set up to meet periodically and
add new ideas to this platform. The first meeting may be held in IIT Delhi with a smaller group to
review the discussions held and initiate a way forward.
He thanked all the participants and IITB for organising the workshop.
12. Vote of thanks:
The Dean (R&D) of IIT Bombay thanked Dr. Bhan, Dr. Natesh and DBT for taking this initiative
and being the glue to bring the IITs researchers together to discuss future work in the important
area of life sciences. He thanked all the experts for giving their valuable inputs. Special thanks
were were due to the IRCC staff including Ms. Rusheeda, Ms. Vanishree, Mr. Arumugam, Dr.
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Krishna Lala, Dr. Padma Satish and the other staff for all the background work, logistics and the
arrangements for the meeting. He thanked all the participants in the meeting and hoped that this
is the beginning of new direction in integrating Life Sciences in engineering and will help solve
many problems in healthcare, energy, water, etc. in the country with support from DBT.
The Annexures may be seen in the web link given:
http://www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/2010DBT01.jsp
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